10. This was written about John in the Scriptures:‘I will send my messenger ahead of you.He will prepare the way for you.’ Malachi 3:1
11. I tell you the truth: John the Baptist is greater than any other man who has ever lived. But even the least important person in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John.
12. Since the time John the Baptist came until now, the kingdom of heaven has been going forward in strength. People using force have been trying to take the kingdom.
13. All the prophets and the law of Moses spoke until the time John came. They told about the things that would happen.
14. And if you will believe the things the law and the prophets said, then you will believe that John is Elijah. The law and the prophets said he would come.
15. Let those with ears use them and listen!
16. “What can I say about the people who live today? What are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace. One group calls to the other,
17. ‘We played music for you, but you did not dance;we sang a sad song, but you did not cry.’
18. John came, and he did not eat like other people or drink wine. And people say, ‘He has a demon.’
19. The Son of Man came, eating and drinking wine, and people say, ‘Look at him! He eats too much and drinks too much. He is a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.”’ But wisdom is proved to be right by the things it does.”
20. Then Jesus criticized the cities where he did most of his miracles. He criticized them because the people there did not change their lives and stop sinning.
21. Jesus said, “How terrible for you, Korazin! How terrible for you, Bethsaida! I did many miracles in you. If those same miracles had happened in Tyre and Sidon, then the people there would have changed their lives a long time ago. They would have worn rough cloth and put ashes on themselves to show that they had changed.
22. But I tell you, on the Judgment Day it will be worse for you than for Tyre and Sidon.